Hatim A Omar, MD

Hatim A Omar, MD, is a board-certified adolescent medicine physician. He retired as Professor of Pediatrics, and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Kentucky in Lexington in July 2020. Dr. Omar served as founder and chief of the Division of Adolescent Medicine and Young Parent Program at the University of Kentucky from November 1998 until December 2018.

Dr. Omar obtained his medical training at the Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria. He completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology from Second United City Hospital, Sofia, Bulgaria and a residency in Pediatrics from West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. He also completed postgraduate training in Adolescent Medicine at West Virginia University and in Physiology at New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York.

Dr. Omar is the founder & Chairman of the Stop Youth Suicide Campaign. He served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Section on Adolescent Health of the American Academy of Pediatrics and on the Board of Directors of the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.

Dr. Omar has published extensively in all areas of care for adolescents in various peer-reviewed scientific journals, books and many media outlets. He is on the editorial board of the Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, the International Journal of Adolescent Medicine & Health, Child Health & Human Development, and four other peer reviewed journals.

Dr Omar has served as an ambassador for well-being of adolescents world wide and is highly regarded for his tireless volunteer work on behalf of adolescents. Dr. Omar is the recipient of: Founders of Adolescent Health Award: Community Leadership from the American Academy of Pediatrics: Section on Adolescent Health 2007; Special Achievement Award for bringing awareness to adolescent depression & suicide, American Academy of Pediatrics 2007;The Don Cantley Community Service award, Kentucky Pediatric Society 2007; SAAMY (Sexual Assault Awareness Month Award) for services to sexual abuse victims, presented by KY Association of Sexual Assault Programs 2007; Ohio Valley Society for Adolescent Medicine Award for dedication to adolescent health (for the Stop Youth Suicide Campaign) 2006; Commonwealth of Kentucky Governor's Award for Community Service and Volunteerism 2000; The William Lions Award, UK; Chairman’s Research Award, Chairman’s Teaching Award and the Miracle Maker Award in different years. He was recently appointed Kentucky Colonel, the highest civilian honor in the state.